Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Oh, hello there lost blog readers. If you're still out there, that is.

To give an update, I'm still at the same old job, still getting treated like the rug under peoples' dirty shoes, and still not making the money I could/should be making. Look, I get it. At the end of the day, its a job. But I'm kind of over it. I'd love to work at a music company, so I'm looking into that for January. In the meantime, I'm discovering ways to jump-start my career however odd or improbable they may seem. Gotta do something because living month to month was just NOT what I signed up for.

Thank goodness for all the wonderful, fun and kind people in my life, because you keep me going. I've written a few new songs lately, which will be added to the list of "possibilities for the next record." The BF and I are seeing Toto tomorrow, which I'm SUPER pumped about. I thought they weren't touring anymore so when I heard on the radio they were going to be on Jack FM's "7th Show" I looked around online and found they were performing at a SoCal casino! I probably will be the youngest person in the room, but who cares? Getting to see your favorite bands is the coolest thing ever. Who knows if/when they will ever tour again? Steely Dan was so worth the $125. Toto will be awesome. Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, Mat Kearney, Maroon 5, Sia, etc. I hate spending money on concerts, because usually they aren't pre-planned into my budgets, but I LOVE going to concerts. There's nothing like live music...unless you have to stand all night and then I usually wish I were lying in bed listening to the recording. I'm sorry, but I just can't enjoy a concert standing up like I can enjoy one sitting down. You're able to relax and just let the music surround you.

I recently read this book called "White Girl Problems" which wasn't what I was expecting but was an enjoyable fluff read all the same. My sister always says that I have "rich white girl problems" which of course is a problem in itself seeing as though I am not rich. At this juncture, actually, very far from it. I've been doing alright budgeting my money and whatnot, its just that I always want for things, which I guess is okay, but in this town it seems like everyone is all about instant gratification, and everyone just calls Dad and Grampy-pants for money and its all gravy. Look, I get it. That's awesome that you have some cushion there. And I know if something terrible were to happen, of course my family would help me out financially. But apart from bomb-ass birthday gifts, I don't want handouts. Yeah, it would be difficult for me to afford my contact lenses and health insurance at this point. But I wouldn't want to be so lax about my income/job/financial situation that I get fired left and right and always think/hope my family is going to pick up the pieces of MY mistakes. When do we start holding ourselves accountable for our own successes and our own failures?

I've been participating in a monthly book club, which is really fun. Its a group of girls of varying tastes and intellect, which is cool. Each month is sort of a gossipfest/book club/potluck sort of deal, and I've been trying out new recipes each month which has been really fun. This month I made a Devil's Food Cake with Hazelnut Crunch from Bon Appetit. It was really good, although I would make some modifications if I decided to make it again. I think next month I'm going to make something savory. Our next book is Angela's Ashes. I've heard of it, but it was never something I particularly wanted to read. We'll see how it is!

I've also gotten sick of gaining weight and not being able to fit into all the lovely things in my closet that I spent good money on. I've decided on Sundays, I'm going to make a meal plan for the week, and then I'll shop and prep stuff on Mondays, which I usually have off from work. So far, I've made Italian Wedding Soup with whole wheat orzo which is one of my fave soups, and i froze 4 little containers for the next week or so. I made Cilantro-Lime Chicken the other night and OH GEEZ. I don't even really LOVE chicken, but this was OH SO GOOD. Trying to eat more veggies, snack on healthier things, and not eat out/get fast food as much. Like almost never. I'd like to maybe do one night out to a decent restaurant a month, and then other than that, just make meals in. I didn't realize how much money I was spending on food outside the kitchen until last month, and it was crazy. Not only is it not good for my body, its not good for my bank account. So no more of that.

Looking forward to taking my trips home for Turkey Day and then to the BF's home in December. Vacations are always nice, but I think these will be much needed and really good for us.

Definitely going to start blogging more again (its so therapeutic!) but in the meantime, keep an eye on my twitter and youtube to see what I'm to! Big shout-out to all of you who believe in me! Love you!